Impact of conflict on children in Gaza "devastating" UNICEF official

The impact of the conflict on children in Gaza has been devastating, according to the head of the UN children agency (UNICEF)'s office in Gaza.

Pernille Ironside says children in Gaza have suffered as a result of the violence that has engulfed the territory following the launch by the Israeli army of Operation Protective Edge on 8 July.

Israel has said its operation was in response to rocket attacks by Hamas.

Ms. Ironside says the children of Gaza have not only seen the violence but have also experienced it themselves.

"The impact of the conflict on children here in Gaza has been absolutely devastating. Many of them have been killed. We now have 457 who have lost their lives. There are nearly 3,000 children who have been injured and thousands and thousands of families have lost their homes, either completely destroyed or partially destroyed." (23")

Ms. Ironside said UNICEF is appealing for approximately $14.5 million in order to scale up its programme to help the children of Gaza.